ISBN: 10-0375831002
PLOT SUMMARY
Death, tired and burdened with the millions of souls he must collect, is the narrator of this story set in World War II Germany. Told from the perspective of a first person point of view, Death is not really a character and does not influence the events in the story. Liesel Meminger is left with a loving foster family outside of Munich because her mother can no longer care for her and her younger brother. Her father is suspiciously absent and Liesel suspects he was imprisoned or killed as a Communist. When her younger brother dies on the way to her new home, and her mother leaves her without explanation, she is traumatized with nightmares. Liesel seizes the opportunity to steal her first book, The Gravedigger’s Handbook, at the burial service for her brother when the gravedigger drops it. Yet, Liesel cannot read. Hans and Rosa Hubermann care for the ten-year-old girl and Hans teaches her to read from the stolen book. She finds a loving home with the Hubermann’s despite Rosa’s sharp tongue and impatient manner. Liesel befriends Rudy, a spirited neighbor boy, who defies the Hitler Youth and teaches Liesel to steal for fun. There is nothing more rewarding for Liesel than a newly acquired book and she takes many risks to steal books from wherever she can. When Hans agrees to hide a Jewish man in his basement, Liesel shares her stolen books with him and with her neighbors during the bombing raids on Himmel Street.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This is a novel that some might say is too long for younger adult readers. In fact, the story was first published in Australia specifically for adults. However, it is a book that will intrigue adolescent book lovers. The unique perspective of a personal point of view elicits observations from Death throughout the story and as happens in war, Death becomes somewhat involved, albeit without altering the plot. Although Death is present to collect the many souls in this WWII era, the main information in the story comes from Liesel’s own writing about her life and what Death hears from others. Zusak effectively uses color to describe the deaths of humans in this story and sound to describe the compelling characters. Hans, an accordion player, offers Liesel hope, comfort and distraction; and the colors in the sky at the time of a person’s death illustrate that human life does matter. The imagery is prominent and straightforward, the story complicated and suspenseful. One learns of the happenings in Germany during this time period as related by this unusual narrator who is on hand to witness the terrible atrocities of which humans are capable. The death march through Molching to the Dachau concentration camp and the beating of prisoners by Nazi guards and those who feel compelled to show them any sort of kindness are true events, which the author skillfully weaves into this tale. In his own words, Zusak’s choice of the narrator stems from a thoughtful position that war and death are best friends. But he changes that point of view so that Death is virtually weary and fatigued, nearly instilling in the reader a sense of compassion. This is a creative and ingenious book that will keep readers absorbed in the power of the written word.
REVIEW EXCERPTS AND AWARDS
Michael L. Printz Award (2007)
Booklist- “More than the overt message about the power of words, it’s Liesel’s confrontation with horrifying cruelty and her discovery of kindness in unexpected places that tell the heartbreaking truth.”
The Horn Book- Starred review “Exquisitely written and memorably populated… A tour de force to be not just read but inhabited.”
Kirkus Reviews- “The writing in elegant, philosophical and moving. Even at its length, it’s a work to read slowly and savor. Beautiful and important.”
New York Times- “The Book Thief will be appreciated for Mr. Zusak’s audacity, also on display in his earlier I Am the Messenger. It will be widely read and admired because it tells a story in which books become treasures.”
Publishers Weekly- Starred book “This hefty volume is an achievement- a challenging book in both length and subject.”
CONNECTIONS
Lead a discussion about the connections humans make with one another.
Additional recommended reading:
I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak ISBN: 10-0375830995
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins ISBN: 10-0439023483
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne ISBN: 10-0385751893
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield ISBN: 10-0743298020
The Devil’s Arithmetic by Jane Yolen ISBN: 10-0140345353
The Help by Kathryn Stockett ISBN: 10-0399155341
RESOURCES
http://www.bookbrowse.com/reviews/
http://titlepeek.fsc.follett.com/tp/query?=action=3&subnumber=8501546&isbn=978037584
http://www.librarything.com/work/393681
Vardell, Sylvia. Children’s Literature in Action. Westport, CT. Libraries Unlimited. 2008.
No comments:
Post a Comment